Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Meets OIC Secretary-General in

Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji met with Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha in Jeddah on Saturday, on the sidelines of the Donors’ Conference to Support Internally Displaced People and Refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad Region, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The meeting reviewed relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the OIC across various fields and addressed significant regional and international developments, with the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the OIC, Dr. Saleh Al-Suhaibani, in attendance.

The encounter took place as Jeddah hosted a major international donor gathering focused on one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian crises. The Sahel and Lake Chad region has endured years of displacement, food insecurity, and instability, and the conference underscored Saudi Arabia’s continuing role as a convenor of humanitarian diplomacy. For observers of Saudi foreign policy, the meeting between the Vice Foreign Minister and the OIC Secretary-General signals the depth of coordination between the Kingdom and the 57-member organization it has long supported. As the host city of the OIC’s headquarters, Jeddah occupies a unique position in the Islamic world — a fact that gives added weight to consultations held there.

Context and Background

How did this meeting come to carry significance beyond a routine diplomatic calendar entry? The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, headquartered in Jeddah, is the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations, representing 57 member states across four continents. Its mandate spans political consultation, humanitarian relief, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. Saudi Arabia has been a foundational supporter of the OIC since its establishment in 1969, and the Kingdom’s permanent representation to the organization is a key channel through which Riyadh coordinates positions on issues ranging from Palestine to humanitarian response.

The Donors’ Conference to Support Internally Displaced People and Refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad Region provided the immediate context for the meeting. That region has faced a compounding crisis: armed conflict, climate shocks, and displacement have left millions in need of assistance. By hosting the conference, Saudi Arabia placed its diplomatic weight behind international efforts to mobilize resources. The presence of both Eng. El-Khereiji and Hissein Brahim Taha at the same venue allowed for a direct exchange on how the Kingdom and the OIC can align their humanitarian and political efforts.

Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji has served as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2019, and his portfolio includes overseeing bilateral and multilateral engagements. Hissein Brahim Taha, a seasoned Chadian diplomat, became OIC Secretary-General in 2021. Their meeting reflects the routine but important practice of high-level coordination between Saudi diplomacy and the OIC Secretariat. Dr. Saleh Al-Suhaibani, the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the OIC, also attended, reinforcing the continuity of Saudi engagement with the organization’s daily work.

Key Details

What exactly was discussed behind closed doors in Jeddah? According to the official SPA report, the two officials reviewed relations between the Kingdom and the OIC across various fields. That broad formulation typically covers political consultation, humanitarian cooperation, and joint initiatives on issues of concern to the Islamic world. They also discussed significant regional and international developments and ongoing efforts in these areas — a phrase that, in the context of the Sahel and Lake Chad conference, likely encompassed the humanitarian situation, security challenges, and the need for sustained international attention.

The meeting was not an isolated bilateral exchange but part of a wider diplomatic moment. The Donors’ Conference itself was a Saudi-hosted event aimed at drawing financial and political support for displaced populations. By meeting on its sidelines, the Vice Foreign Minister and the OIC Secretary-General were able to connect the broader strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and the OIC with the immediate operational needs of a specific crisis. This kind of linkage is central to how Saudi diplomacy operates: using high-level gatherings to advance both immediate humanitarian goals and longer-term institutional partnerships.

It is worth noting that the OIC’s membership overlaps significantly with the countries affected by the Sahel and Lake Chad crisis, many of which are OIC member states. That gives the organization a direct stake in the conference’s outcomes. Saudi Arabia, as host and a leading donor, is positioned to help bridge the OIC’s political reach with practical funding and coordination. The meeting between Eng. El-Khereiji and Hissein Brahim Taha thus served to synchronize those efforts at a senior level.

International and Regional Impact

Why should international observers pay attention to a meeting held on the margins of a donors’ conference? Because it illustrates how Saudi Arabia leverages its diplomatic infrastructure to address crises that affect global stability. The Sahel and Lake Chad region is not only a humanitarian emergency but also a source of migration pressures, security threats, and economic disruption that reach beyond Africa. By convening donors and coordinating with the OIC, the Kingdom contributes to a multilateral response that shares the burden among many countries.

For the OIC, the meeting reinforces its role as a platform for collective action. The organization often struggles with limited resources and political divisions among members, but Saudi support helps sustain its operations. When the Saudi Vice Foreign Minister and the OIC Secretary-General consult directly, they signal that the organization remains a relevant vehicle for Islamic-world diplomacy. For regional governments in the Sahel, the outcome of the donors’ conference — and the Saudi-OIC coordination behind it — could translate into more predictable funding and attention.

On the international stage, the meeting also reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy of active diplomacy. The Kingdom has increasingly positioned itself as a bridge-builder and humanitarian actor, hosting conferences, mediating disputes, and supporting multilateral institutions. The Jeddah meeting is a small but telling example of that approach in action. It shows that Saudi Arabia is not only a participant in global affairs but also an organizer and facilitator, using its unique position as host of the OIC to bring parties together.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Does humanitarian diplomacy carry economic and strategic weight for Saudi Arabia? It does. The Kingdom’s reputation as a reliable partner in times of crisis strengthens its standing with both donor countries and recipient regions. That standing can translate into influence in multilateral forums, trade relationships, and investment opportunities. The Sahel and Lake Chad region, despite its challenges, holds resources and markets that matter to long-term economic engagement. Stability there is in Saudi Arabia’s interest, and the Kingdom’s role in mobilizing support positions it as a constructive stakeholder.

Strategically, the meeting underscores the importance Saudi Arabia places on the OIC as a tool of foreign policy. The organization provides a collective voice for the Islamic world, and Saudi Arabia’s leadership within it helps shape that voice. By coordinating with the Secretary-General on regional developments, the Vice Foreign Minister ensures that Saudi priorities and OIC positions remain aligned. This alignment matters on issues ranging from Palestine to counterterrorism to humanitarian access. In a multipolar world, such institutional relationships are valuable assets.

Furthermore, the donors’ conference itself has economic implications. Pledges made there will fund relief operations, but they also signal which countries are willing to invest in regional stability. Saudi Arabia’s hosting role and its officials’ engagement with OIC leadership project an image of responsible global citizenship. That image supports the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification goals by attracting partners who value predictability and constructive engagement.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does this diplomatic meeting connect to Saudi Vision 2030? Vision 2030 is not only an economic transformation plan but also a blueprint for a more active and influential Saudi role in the world. It calls for a Kingdom that is a hub for international diplomacy, a leader in humanitarian work, and a reliable partner in multilateral institutions. The meeting between Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji and Hissein Brahim Taha exemplifies these aspirations. It shows Saudi diplomacy operating at the intersection of humanitarian response and institutional leadership.

Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has expanded its diplomatic footprint, hosted major global events, and deepened its engagement with organizations like the OIC. The Donors’ Conference in Jeddah and the high-level consultations on its sidelines are part of that pattern. By supporting displaced people in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, the Kingdom demonstrates the compassionate and outward-looking values that Vision 2030 promotes. And by working closely with the OIC Secretary-General, it reinforces the institutional ties that give Saudi foreign policy lasting reach.

As Saudi Arabia continues to implement Vision 2030, such meetings will remain a regular feature of its diplomatic calendar. They are the quiet, consistent work that builds influence over time. The Jeddah meeting may not generate headlines around the world, but it represents the kind of responsible, forward-looking statecraft that the Kingdom is committed to — and that its partners have come to expect.

20 Questions

Q1. Who met in Jeddah on Saturday?

A1. Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji met with OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Donors’ Conference to Support Internally Displaced People and Refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad Region.

Q2. What was the main purpose of the meeting?

A2. The two officials reviewed relations between Saudi Arabia and the OIC across various fields and discussed significant regional and international developments. They also addressed ongoing efforts related to those developments, according to the official Saudi Press Agency report.

Q3. Where did the meeting take place?

A3. The meeting was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which is home to the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Jeddah hosted the donors’ conference that provided the backdrop for the discussions.

Q4. Who else attended the meeting?

A4. The Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the OIC, Dr. Saleh Al-Suhaibani, attended the meeting. His presence underscores the continuous Saudi engagement with the organization’s work and daily operations.

Q5. What is the Organization of Islamic Cooperation?

A5. The OIC is an intergovernmental organization with 57 member states, making it the second-largest after the United Nations. It focuses on political consultation, humanitarian relief, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange among Islamic countries.

Q6. Why is the Donors’ Conference significant?

A6. The conference aims to mobilize support for internally displaced people and refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, which faces a protracted humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia hosted the event, demonstrating its role in humanitarian diplomacy.

Q7. What did the officials discuss regarding regional developments?

A7. They discussed significant regional and international developments and ongoing efforts in these areas. The context of the donors’ conference suggests the humanitarian and security situation in the Sahel and Lake Chad region was a key focus.

Q8. How does this meeting reflect Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy?

A8. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s active diplomacy and its role as a convenor of multilateral efforts. The Kingdom uses high-level gatherings to advance both immediate humanitarian goals and long-term institutional partnerships with organizations like the OIC.

Q9. What is Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the OIC?

A9. Saudi Arabia has been a foundational supporter of the OIC since its establishment in 1969. The Kingdom hosts the OIC headquarters in Jeddah and maintains a permanent representation to the organization.

Q10. Who is Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji?

A10. Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji is the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, a position he has held since 2019. His portfolio includes overseeing bilateral and multilateral engagements for the Kingdom.

Q11. Who is Hissein Brahim Taha?

A11. Hissein Brahim Taha is the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. A seasoned Chadian diplomat, he became OIC Secretary-General in 2021 and has since led the organization’s diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives.

Q12. What does the OIC do for the Sahel region?

A12. The OIC provides a platform for political consultation and humanitarian coordination among its members, many of which are in the Sahel. It advocates for attention and resources for displaced populations and works with partners like Saudi Arabia.

Q13. How does Saudi Arabia support displaced people?

A13. Saudi Arabia supports displaced people through humanitarian aid, hosting donor conferences, and coordinating with international organizations. The Jeddah conference is an example of the Kingdom’s efforts to mobilize resources for affected regions.

Q14. What are the implications for regional stability?

A14. The meeting and conference contribute to a multilateral response to instability in the Sahel and Lake Chad region. By coordinating with the OIC, Saudi Arabia helps align political and humanitarian efforts that can improve stability and reduce displacement.

Q15. Why is Jeddah important for OIC diplomacy?

A15. Jeddah hosts the OIC headquarters, making it a natural venue for high-level consultations. The city’s role as a diplomatic hub allows Saudi officials and OIC leaders to meet regularly and coordinate on issues of common concern.

Q16. What economic interests does Saudi Arabia have in the Sahel?

A16. Saudi Arabia has an interest in regional stability, which supports trade, investment, and economic partnerships. A stable Sahel can open opportunities for long-term economic engagement and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s standing as a reliable partner.

Q17. How does this meeting align with Vision 2030?

A17. Vision 2030 aims to make Saudi Arabia a hub for international diplomacy and humanitarian leadership. The meeting exemplifies these goals by showcasing Saudi coordination with a major multilateral organization on a pressing global issue.

Q18. What is the significance of Dr. Saleh Al-Suhaibani’s attendance?

A18. Dr. Saleh Al-Suhaibani is Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the OIC. His attendance highlights the continuity of Saudi engagement and ensures that the Kingdom’s day-to-day coordination with the OIC is represented at high-level meetings.

Q19. What outcomes can be expected from the donors’ conference?

A19. The conference aims to secure financial and political support for displaced people in the Sahel and Lake Chad region. Saudi Arabia’s hosting and coordination with the OIC are expected to help mobilize pledges and sustain international attention.

Q20. How does this meeting fit into Saudi Arabia’s broader diplomacy?

A20. It is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy of active engagement in multilateral institutions and humanitarian causes. The Kingdom regularly uses such meetings to build influence, support stability, and advance the goals of Vision 2030 on the world stage.

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